Gang which smuggled drugs into prison jailed

Friday, March 21, 2025

A criminal gang including a prison nurse which smuggled drugs into prison have been jailed for more than 50 years.

The nurse was one of 15 members of the gang sentenced after an investigation by our exploitation team which uncovered the network and took the gang down.

A raid on nurse Kiera Burton’s home address and car found items including a pair of shoes with hollowed out soles, as well as SIM cards, mobile phones and cash.

She had been rumbled after she was stopped and searched on her way into work at HMP Preston and found with drugs and sim cards on her.

The gang also used sophisticated drones to deliver parcels of drugs which were dropped into the prison yards.

Another tactic involved a serving prisoner claiming to be unwell so they were taken to hospital where they would pick up packages of drugs and phones left for them in the toilets.

Evidence was gathered to show drugs were also brought into jail in children’s clothing on prison visits.

The investigation began into the drug supply of Stinton Glover and Eric Taylor where billing for Glover’s mobile phone showed two of the top contacts were prisoners inside Lancaster Farms prison.

Further enquiries uncovered the rest of the criminal network with the part of the illicit operation run from inside prison coordinated by inmates Jonathan Royal and Danny Ryder.

The OCG were sentenced at Preston Crown Court today (Friday, March 21st) Full list below.

Det Sgt Stu Peall, of the East Exploitation Team, said: “This was a sophisticated criminal gang involving both serving prisoners and people on the outside smuggling drugs and other contraband like mobile phones and sim cards on a regular basis into prisons using a variety of different methods.

“We will continue to work with our partners in the prison service partners to tackle drug supply and target anyone involved.

“Criminals who think they can carry on with their illicit operations behind bars should think again – this case shows that we will dismantle criminal gangs operating inside and outside of prison, disrupt their activity and pursue offenders and put them before the courts.”

“I am grateful to colleagues in the prison service and at the Crown Prosecution Service in what was a very complex investigation.”

Operation Warrior is Lancashire Police’s response to tackling serious and organised crime in Lancashire, supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.

It aims to target the individuals and gangs involved in crime, as well as associated issues such as violence and intimidation, large scale drug supply, exploitation, and fraud, all of which can cause serious harm to local communities.

If you believe that someone may be involved in drugs activity in your area, you can report it to us by calling 101. Alternatively, you can report it via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report your concerns anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. If you think someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

 

Sentenced:

Eric Taylor 18/12/1986 Haven Street, Burnley. Four years three months 

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(Cocaine, MDMA, Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)

• Conspiracy to convey list B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(mobile telephones, charging equipment and SIM cards)

• Being concerned in supply of cannabis between 1/11/23 and 12/6/24.
• Possession of 2C-B (Class A ) with intent to supply on 15/7/23.
• Possession of ketamine with intent to supply on 15/7/23.

 

Stinton Glover 29/10/1992 Hargreaves Street, Burnley. Jailed for five years 

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(Cocaine, MDMA, Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)

• Conspiracy to convey list B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(mobile telephones, charging equipment and SIM cards)

• Being concerned in the supply of Cannabis between 1/11/23 and 13/6/24
• Possession of Cannabis with intent to supply on 12/6/24.

 

David Leach 08/01/1993 Castle Hill Street, Shotton, Deeside. Jailed five years 10 months  

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(Cocaine, MDMA, Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)

• Conspiracy to convey list B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(mobile telephones, charging equipment and SIM cards)

• Being concerned in supplying Cannabis between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Lancaster Farms)

• Being concerned in supplying Spice between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Lancaster Farms)

 

Oliver Howlett 26/09/1989 Lancaster Farms. Nine months  

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(Cocaine, MDMA, Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)

• Conspiracy to convey list B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(mobile telephones, charging equipment and SIM cards)

 

Jonathan Royal 20/02/1993 No fixed address. Seven years 11 months 

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Preston between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24 (Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)
• Conspiracy to convey list B articles into HMP Preston between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(mobile telephones, charging equipment and SIM cards)

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(Cocaine, MDMA, Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)

• Conspiracy to convey list B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(mobile telephones, charging equipment and SIM cards)

• Being concerned in supplying Cannabis between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Preston)

• Being concerned in supplying Spice between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Preston)

• Being concerned in supplying Ketamine between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Preston)

 

Deborah Ingram 16/07/1971 Pembroke Street, Burnley. One year two months 

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Preston between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)

• Conspiracy to convey list B articles into HMP Preston between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(mobile telephones, charging equipment and SIM cards)

 

Katie Walter 29/08/2002 Spring Street, Rishton. One year four months 

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(Cocaine, MDMA, Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)

• Conspiracy to convey list B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(mobile telephones, charging equipment and SIM cards)

• Being concerned in the production of cannabis between 1/4/23 and 24/4/24.
• Converting criminal property between 1/6/23 and 24/4/24.

 

 

Keira Burton 09/04/1991 Alvis Close, Farington. One year eight months 

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Preston between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)

• Conspiracy to convey list B articles into HMP Preston between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(mobile telephones, charging equipment and SIM cards)

• Being concerned in supplying Cannabis between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Preston)

• Being concerned in supplying Spice between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Preston)

 

 

Jamie Whelan 18/09/1995 Hermitage Street, Rishton. Two years three months 

• Being concerned in the production of cannabis between 1/4/23 and 24/4/24.
• Production of cannabis on 5/6/24.
• Possession of Cannabis with intent to supply on 5/6/24

 

 

Daniel Ryder 17/09/1992 Spring Hill Road, Accrington. Jailed for six years 

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(Cocaine, MDMA, Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)

• Conspiracy to convey list B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(mobile telephones, charging equipment and SIM cards)

• Being concerned in supplying Cannabis between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Lancaster Farms)

• Being concerned in supplying Spice between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Lancaster Farms)

• Being concerned in supplying Cannabis between 1/4/23 and 24/4/24.
• Being concerned in the production of cannabis between 1/4/23 and 24/4/24.

 

Ryan Pickering 26/06/1993 Lancaster Farms. Four years six months 

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Preston between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)

• Conspiracy to convey list B articles into HMP Preston between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(mobile telephones, charging equipment and SIM cards)

• Being concerned in supplying Cannabis between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Preston)

• Being concerned in supplying Spice between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Preston)

• Being concerned in supplying Ketamine between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Preston)

 

 

Sean Allmen 10/03/1988 Lancaster Farms. One year eight months 

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Preston between 1/10/23 and 24/4/24.

(Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)

 

 

Sean Mortimer 24/02/1980 Windermere Avenue, Burnley. Jailed for five years 10 months 

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(Cocaine, MDMA, Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)

• Conspiracy to convey list B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(mobile telephones, charging equipment and SIM cards)

• Being concerned in supplying Cannabis between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Lancaster Farms)

• Being concerned in supplying Spice between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(within HMP Lancaster Farms)

 

 

Michael Royal 25/01/1991 Quaker Drive, Brierfield. Two years nine months 

• Conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(Cocaine, MDMA, Cannabis, Ketamine and Spice)

• Conspiracy to convey list B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms between 1/11/23 and 24/4/24.

(mobile telephones, charging equipment and SIM cards

• Being concerned in the supply of Cannabis between 1/4/24 and 14/5/24.
• Dangerous Driving on 29/9/22
• Aggravated Vehicle taking on 6/10/22